Thomas "Tom" Gerald Mulera

Our beloved Toppa Tom, son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle passed away on October 23, 2022, surrounded by love and family at his home in Mesa, AZ. Tom was 81 and is survived by his wife, Susan; children David, Karen, and Nancy; daughter-in-law Melissa and son-in-law Jason; grandchildren Jesse, Rebecca, and Jake; honorary grandchild Braxton; his brothers and sister, as well as his nieces, nephews, and many friends. Toppa Tom loved his family and was extremely proud of them.

Tom was born to Edmund and Viola Mulera on October 9, 1941, in Streator, IL. They moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1946, and he graduated from Brophy College Prep in 1959. After high school, he attended ASU, in his first year of college he received an appointment to Annapolis and then took part in the Naval Reserves while finishing college. He graduated from ASU with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1964. On March 30, 1964, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Susan; they were married for 58 years. After college, he went on to OCS and served in the Navy for 3 years during which he was stationed in Danang, Vietnam for a year. Then Tom started his career as an Aeronautical Engineer. He was a man of amazing talents, he excelled in his career rising to the position of Chief Engineer, was highly regarded in the industry, and was loved by his colleagues. He spent over 40 years working at Honeywell, he was an extremely brilliant man who held many patents but was always willing to share his knowledge with anyone who asked. After retiring from Honeywell he ended his career as a Rocket Scientist.

Tom enjoyed camping, hiking, shooting, and going to lunch with his friends. He loved spending time with his family and traveling the world with them. He passed on his love for witty dad humor and fixing cars or mechanical devices to his children (their friends) and grandchildren. To say he was so many things to so many people is an understatement. He was not only a family man, he was a team coach, life mentor, joke teller, confidant, role model, best friend, inspiration, inventor, and teacher, but most of all he was our Toppa Tom.

A visitation for Tom will be held Thursday, November 3, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM at Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services – Melcher Roses, 43 South Stapley Drive, Mesa, Arizona 85204. A funeral service will occur Friday, November 4, 2022 at 12:00 PM, 43 South Stapley Drive, Mesa, Arizona 85204. A graveside service will occur Friday, November 4, 2022 at 1:30 PM at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 1562 East Baseline Road, Mesa, Arizona 85204.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AdvantageMelcherRoses.com for the Mulera family.